Self-serving table



Nov. 30 1926. 1, 4

J. B. M CONAHA SELF SERVING TABLE Filed March 2; 1925 .JWIII B. M 2' 0/20/10 :3 l0 Aiijs Patented Nov. 30, 1926;

UNITED STATES JOHN B. MCGONAHA, OF

MONOLI'JIH, CALIFORNIA.

SELF-SERVING TABLE.

Application filed March 22, 1923. Serial No. 626,740.

This invention relates to furniture, and more particularly to tables, and has for an object to provide a self-service table including a rotatable central disc and a relatively 6 stationary surrounding leaf or shelf. An object is to provide a table having a central portion for carrying utensils and which can be automatically rotated so as to present the diflerent utensils at diflerent positions of the 1 surrounding shelf part of the table. Ah-

other objectis to provide a table having a rotative center and a simple means for mechanically turning the center and whereby it may be substantially locked in stopped position.

Other objects and advantages will be made manifest in the following specification of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan of the service table.

Fig, 2 is a vertical, sectional View.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the operating mechanism.

The table is shown as includmg any suitable frame 2, which may be supported upon legs 3. The table is provided with a, disclike rotative center 4 which, preferably, is supported on antifriction bearings 5, parts of which may be supported on the table frame 2. The bearings mav consist of upper and lower circular tracks 6 between which are interposed antifriction rollers or balls 5.

A track supporting board 7 isdirectly attached to the upper ends of the legs 3 and has an inwardly extending portion to which is secured the lower circular track 6.

Surrounding the disc 4 and in the same plane therewith is an annular stationary shelf 7 secured to the track supporting board 7 to receive the dinner service. while the various utensils carrying food are adapted to be arranged upon a central .rotative disc 4. The disc 4 is adapted to be automatically turned at the will of the diners to bring the different utensils within reach, and a form of such means is shown as including an electric motor 10, the

shaft of which is provided with a worm 11 engaging a gear 12'fixed on a shaft 13 journaled in an operative position in the table frame and carrying in its upper end a pinion 14. This pinion is shown as disposed in a pocket 15 in the stationary table part 7 and is in constant mesh with an annular gear 16 which may be embedded or cut in the rim of the table center 4. c

When it is desired to cause the table center to rotate, any oneof a plurality of switches 17, forming a part of a motor circuit, may be closed, with the result that the table center will be slowly rotated so as to bring the different utensils as desired into position at the diners places. By utilizing a worm gear drive from the motor it will be clear that the table center will be automatically locked by the brake action of the irreversible gear drive.

Further embodiments, modifications and variations may be resorted to within the principle of the invention.

What is claimed is: A self-serving table comprising in combination table legs, an annular stationary track supporting board secured to the upper ends of the legs, an annular marginal shelf secured to said board, said shelf having an undercut pocket adjacent its inner edge, a central table disc, tracks on the upper surface of the track supporting board and the lower surface of the disc with anti=friction bearings therebetween, the upper surface of the disc and the upper surface of the shelf being on the same horizontal plane, an annular gear secured to the edge of the disc, a drive shaft journaled vertically in thetrack supporting board, a pinion mounted on the upper end thereof in the said pocket engaging the gear, an electric motor geared to the said shaft and a plurality of electric switches attached to the outer edge of the shelf, any one of which is adapted to control the operation of the motor to rotate the disc.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

' JOHN B. MCCONAHA. 

